one quick question

[moro90]

there is a car auction id like to attend that is weekly, but i have one dilemma, im not to knowledgable about what to look for. i know basic things, but i need more knowledge to know what to look for in a car before i would bid on it. anythign would be welcome, thanks!

['97ventureowner]

Do you have any mechanically inclined friends who can tag along and inspect the vehicles with you before the auction? If not , you can inspect them yourself. Look at the overall condition of the vehicle including the body, interior, engine, etc. Make a mental note at what might need attention if you bought it. If the auction allows the vehicle to be started, carefully listen to how the engine runs, any odd noises, leaks, smells. Pay attention also on how easy or hard it is to start, and if it stays running unassisted.
If there are certain vehicles you are interested in, you could do a little research online as to values ,(so you don't bid too high.) And check out the forums here specific to the models you are interested in and read through the threads to get an idea of common issues that members experience and possibly how hard or easy it is to fix. Armed with that knowledge you should do better than just going in there blind and not knowing anything and bidding on a vehicle you don't really know much about.

[moro90]

thanks alot!

[Dboy23]

We go to auctions all the time and it's a lot safer for you to buy a car outside of one. There are a lot of times we find problems outside of what we saw at the auction and my dad has been a mechanic for over 20 years and he still misses things.

On the outside you can check a Carfax, have a mechanic inspect it, everything, but not in an auction.

Yes you might save a couple of bucks on a car you have to think, in the end is it really worth it if im gonna have to replace this and that and it might have worse problems than are visible until you drive it for a 100 or so miles so be extra careful.

[moro90]

thanks for the extra tip

[Ray paulsen]

Hope you dont mind, but I like to answer your question with a question.
Why you want to buy from an auction when there are thousand of cars for sale online - dealers and private ?

If your thought's are a better deal then read this link http://www.usedcartips.org/AUCTIONS.html and you decide if an auction is the way for you.

[moro90]

i primarily wanted to buy from auctionm becasue it could be so much cheaper, but now since the site, im double thinking it, thanks!

[Greenblurr93]

an auction can be great if you get a good car... you can also get screwed and get a money pit... I always think "what made this person/dealership want to auction this car off" sometimes its because the demand for such a car wasnt there and it wasnt selling... or sometimes there are hidden problems with the car that the seller didnt want to deal with

[vv42]

Originally Posted by Dboy23

On the outside you can check a Carfax, have a mechanic inspect it, everything, but not in an auction.

This is a huge advantage of not going to an auction... All the time you need to perform a full diagnostic of your potential car.